Solomon. Pentos.
After introducing myself, I was invited inside to talk about the benefits of my joining the cause. And a relative of the Azor Ahai candidate... disappointed. Very disappointing.
He chose to skip the banal introduction and, as soon as everyone was seated in the guest room, he immediately began to talk about his cause, without mentioning any of the downsides, of course. The number of times he called himself "king" had already exceeded two dozen within a few minutes of the conversation.
Fina had already at his first proposal preferred to pay more attention to the treats. The magister had a look as if this child's behavior was an everyday occurrence.
Words filled with an extremely strong sense of conceit and unreasonable confidence were cutting to the ear, to say the least. And instead of listening to his speech, I decided to study the personality for which I had come to Essos.
The young girl's gaze never left my figure and was filled with anticipation. She looked at me with such awe and intrigue, as if she had met someone significant in the history of this world. What was remarkable was that her threads of destiny were even thicker than John's. I believe she has a very difficult road ahead of her .
- ... and I will shower you with gifts as soon as the usurper loses his head, - the child finished his tirade and looked at me, frowning his eyebrows - Are you listening to me, magician?
- Of course," I nodded, "But I never heard your name, and neither did your companion.
- Oh, I suppose you are right. My name is Viserys Targaryen, rightful heir to the Seven Kingdoms, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, the last dragon," he began, at the last title I raised an eyebrow, and then Viserys pointed at the girl, "And this is my sister, Daenerys Targaryen.
Hmm... He only mentioned her name, and didn't mention the Magister at all. I take it he's only concerned with himself.
And "the last dragon"? That's a little cocky for my taste. Both Daenerys and Jon have dragon blood in their veins, so the title is unwarranted.
The next moment, I felt a look filled with puzzlement, and turning in his direction, I saw that it came from Fina.
At first, my mind was bewildered by the look I was receiving, and my hand went up to probe my face for something eye-catching. As it turned out, my eyebrows were furrowed. At first I didn't understand why, but later the realization came to me. I was experiencing a feeling that was simultaneously distant but close at the same time... irritation.....
This child was able to cause me to feel irritation. And in this world, that's a first...
How... funny...
- Nice to meet you," I said and looked at him, "May I ask what happens after you sit on the Iron Throne?
- Of course, I will get rid of all the traitors and minions of the usurper, - he answered instantly - Their castles will be burned to the ground and their names will be erased from history. And those loyal to my family will be made golden and given their lands. And so will you, magician, if you join me. Why do you call yourself that, by the way? Don't people like you call themselves "sorcerers"?
- Indeed," Illyrio nodded and looked at me cautiously, 'Also, there is a rumor going around the city that the son of the recently deceased magister Ordello was assisted by a certain 'magician'. It's you, isn't it?
I only smiled in response. This made the magister wary and threw a warning glance in the direction of the overconfident child... who ignored it.
- So you agree to support your king, magician? - Viserys asked.
- Before I answer your question, there is something else I would like to hear.
- What else? - He said in an angry tone - Isn't what I've offered you enough?
- How will you deal with ordinary people? Will there be any changes for them? - I decided to ask him one last time, giving his personality one last chance.
- What's wrong with them? The commoners will be happy to see their rightful king on the throne, won't they?
I rubbed my temples in realization of the hopelessness of this child.
Of course, it's foolish to expect every king of the medieval era to understand the importance of the common people. But this particular specimen is basically clueless about the conduct of managerial affairs.
- What's that expression on your face, magician? - he asked - Are you not satisfied with what I said? You dare to show your displeasure right in the face of your king?
This tone is very similar to that of the King of Heroes from Solomon's memories. But where Gilgamesh wanted a bright future for his people and had great power to back up his words and intentions, this hopeless child has nothing.
- You are not a king. Much less mine. - I answered and closed my eyes.
- What?" he froze, giving me an incomprehensible look.
- You're not a king," I repeated, "and you never will be.
- How dare you-
He couldn't finish his outrage, for his voice had left him under the influence of my magic. His eyes went wide, and his hands began to frantically touch his throat. His mouth opened and closed, and his efforts to let out at least some sound were visible. And his face was drawn with shock and fear from not understanding the situation.
The Magister stirred, his eyes darting between me and the child. Fina smirked, and Daenerys stared at me, as if sensing something. I suppose she's as magically gifted as Jon, too. But it's time to get back to the baby.
- All people have flaws. The smart ones know about them and try to fix them, and the great ones turn them into advantages. You're a flawed human being. You don't see your mistakes, so you don't try to do anything about them. As a person, you're completely hopeless. And frankly, this is the first time I've met someone like you... The first time I've met someone as worthless as you.
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Daenerys Targaryen. Pentos.
There was silence in the room after the magician's words. My brother stared at him with unblinking eyes, I realized, trying to make sense of his words. The magister looked wary and furtively glanced at the guest and at his brother. The girl accompanying the magician was grinning merrily.
And I... I didn't know what to do. On the one hand, there was some truth in the magician's words. Brother really doesn't think about what he does, and sometimes his decisions raise questions. At least for now.
I clearly remember how kind and considerate he used to be. He was fun to play with and a kind smile was always present on his face. But at some point, things started to change. And now he's... like this.
On the other hand, he's still my brother. And I, as his sister, have to support him. Family is important, and we're the only Targaryens left. If my brother somehow disappears, what will become of me? I shudder to even think about it.
As I pondered how I should react to the scene before me, my brother came out of his stupor. A second later, he grabbed the sword lying next to him and lunged at the magician. Anger burned in his eyes and a grin formed on his face.
I closed my eyes to avoid seeing the blood so close to me. But the cry of pain didn't echo through the room, and the smell of blood didn't reach my nose. Instead, my hearing picked up the clang of steel, as if two swords had slammed into each other. Finding my courage, I opened my eyes and saw what made my eyes and mouth open wide.
The sword my brother had used to cut the man down had been stopped by his index finger. The magician was nonchalantly looking at his brother and didn't look the least bit concerned.
At the same time, the brother was very stunned. He tried to press harder, causing the veins on his hands to swell and his face to tense up, but the man showed no reaction. The fingers of his right hand still remained motionless even though he made no effort.
At some point, the magician slowly withdrew his finger, and then touched the blade at the same pace. From this seemingly simple and unhurried action, his brother flew off into the wall with the speed of an arrow and a force comparable to a hammer hitting an anvil, causing the sound of his body hitting it to echo through the room.
He dropped his sword and slowly slid to the floor with a look of pain on his face, but no sound came out of his mouth, and then he coughed and spat out some blood.
- Brother!" I shouted excitedly and ran up to him to check his condition.
When my hand touched his shoulder, he groaned silently and gave me a fuzzy look. His eyes were bloodshot, making the amethyst-colored pupil almost invisible. All of his movements were slow and accompanied by a shiver of weakness and infirmity, as if his time would soon come.
As I anxiously examined my brother and wondered how I could help, my hearing caught the soft sound of footsteps heading our way. And a second later felt a presence at my back.
- Your sister genuinely cares for you, even though her concern is unrequited. Family is important, and unfortunately, you don't realize that. Perhaps I could ignore all of this and let you live," a voice came from behind me, and the next moment I felt a surge of strange energy that sent a wave of strange heat through my body, "But in that case, how many lives will you destroy? How many innocents will be forced to suffer because of your actions? I can't let that happen.
I slowly turned towards the voice, and the first thing that caught my attention was an ornate sword that seemed to be almost entirely inlaid with gold with inlays the color of pure sky, and on its blade were carved some inscriptions in a language unknown to me.
But it was the blade that my eyes were focused on, as it flashed with golden light every now and then. And my senses reacted to those flashes, suggesting something... It was as if I were standing in front of someone higher than others. Before one who is capable of leading all... A symbol of power and leadership... A King.
- The sword in my hand bears the name Caliburn: Golden Sword of Destined Victory and the title Sword of Selection. It is a sword that chooses its wielder, a king capable of leading his people, and the phrase to activate it has the words, 'Cut through the wicked,'" the magician began, raising the sword horizontally in front of his eyes as if to examine it, then looked at his brother, "At this moment, he wishes to do just that. Don't worry, I'll make it quick and painless.
I... I have to do something!
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Fina. Pentos.
Throughout the entire conversation, I just wanted to shut up the Targaryen prince who fancied himself as someone higher and more important than my lord. And when Lord Solomon slammed that lowlife into the wall, a wave of pleasure rippled through my body. The Magister, on the other hand, didn't move and was just trying not to cast a shadow so he wouldn't be next.
- No!" the princess shrieked, standing up in front of her foolish brother and blocking my lord's path, "Please don't do this!
I grinned.
If my lord's decision was up to me, this buffoon would have been dead after his first sentence.
I understand my lord is more interested in the Targaryen princess than in her brother, which is understandable. That pompous cockroach called himself "king" in front of someone who really is, as I have learned. And even in my dreams, I can't imagine a situation in which the trash protected by her sister at the moment sits on the throne.
- Hmm? - My lord rumbled - Why are you defending him? I'm sure you've suffered from his actions as well, haven't you?
- I... I know my brother probably deserved it, but... he's the only family member I have left... I... don't want to be alone..." the princess began, glancing at her brother, "He wasn't always like this. Please don't kill him.
- But you do realize how that might turn out, Daenerys Targaryen, don't you? His mind has gone mad. The very thing that made the Mad King "mad." How many innocents are you willing to doom for the sake of your selfishness? - Raising an eyebrow, my lord asked.
- I...
- And one more thing. Viserys Targaryen is not your only living relative.
- What?" the princess froze and looked at my lord in surprise.
- And he-
- You-" My lord was interrupted by the jester's hoarse voice, which made my rage begin to boil inside me, "Do you really... believe... this sorcerer? He can... lie... I... am... the king....
- You have the audacity to interrupt my lord and accuse him of lying, despicable? - I growled, stepping closer to the disputants. At my words and the emotion on his face, the jester jumped and fell back.
- I am only telling the truth," my lord shook his head and stroked my head, causing a wave of calm to pass through my mind, "And your sister could be a far more competent king.
Then Lord Solomon stuck his sword into the floor in front of the princess in a measured motion and looked at her.
- Try to pull it out, Daenerys Targaryen. - If you do, your brother's fate will be in your hands, not mine.
She looked at him suspiciously, but after a few seconds of thought, she still grabbed both hands on the hilt of the sword with both hands and tried to pull it out. She really put all the strength in her slender hands, but the sword wouldn't budge.
- Come on! Come out, you bloody piece of iron! - she shouted with an effort in her voice, and drops of sweat began to gather on her face, and then almost in a whisper she added - Please....
The next moment, the unexpected happened. No, of course she didn't pull out the sword, but I could see a tiny twitch in the ground where the blade was stuck. So much so that unless one was paying full attention to it, it was impossible to pick up on such a thing.
This shift in the blade's position was not noticed by the princess herself, unlike my lord. Seeing this, the edge of his mouth smiled, showing that he was pleased. And without me spending quite a decent amount of time with him already, it would have gone unnoticed.
But the fact remains, the princess was able to impress Lord Solomon.
How... interesting...
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